Virgil, Aeneid VIII.114
Melphi speaks
Qui genus? Unde domo? Pacemne huc fertis an arma?
The priest translates
«What is your people? Where is your home? Do you bring peace here, or arms?»
And interprets
This line asks you three questions, and they are healthy ones. Who are you, where do you come from, what do you bring. Perhaps you are about to meet new people, enter a different workplace, open your door to someone. Or someone is knocking at yours. Either way, the line invites you to make intentions clear before anything else, yours and other people’s. It is not mistrust: it is respect. Whoever comes in peace does not fear questions, and whoever asks them courteously offends no one. Introduce yourself clearly, listen to the answers without prejudice, and let the truth build the trust.
The historical translations
Annibal Caro (1581)
Ov’andate? chi siete? onde venite?
Che ne recate voi? la pace, o l’armi?
Ov’andate? chi siete? onde venite?
Che ne recate voi? la pace, o l’armi?
Theodore C. Williams (1910)
Your kin, your country? Bring ye peace or war?”
Your kin, your country? Bring ye peace or war?”
Source
Publius Vergilius Maro, Aeneis, ed. J. B. Greenough (1900)
Virgil, Aeneid VIII.114